"POWER OF DARKNESS!"

Luke 22:52-53                            (ESV)
"52 Then JESUS said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the "POWER OF DARKNESS."



There are times when the enemy tries to interrupt my "connection time" with GOD.  Of course, usually I can see that for what it is and I will flee from him.  However, I am imperfect (2 Corinthians 4:7-12) and GOD continually is working to draw me closer to HIM.  GOD is in control of "all things" and HE sends trials and difficulties to draw us closer in our walk with HIM.  Sometimes I think HE is silent, but later I see where HE was growing me!

When JESUS became flesh (John 1:14) it wasn't as if HE was a new CREATION.  Colossians 1:16 says "For by HIM "all things"  were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM."  HIS SPIRIT only occupied a physical body for 33+ years, but HE also was there when "this world" was created.  Since JESUS created and knew "all things" HE was, and is, very familiar with them, even the enemy!  Yes, HE created the "bad people" just HE created me to glorify HIM!

JESUS saw the Spiritual version of "all things", therefore HE was able to look past the "the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders" and SEE that they were housing the spirit of the "POWER OF DARKNESS".  Even though "the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders" were of the earthy blood-line of Abraham, they were "not of us" (1 John 2:19) and JESUS was able to IDENTITY and RECOGNIZE them as such (Luke 11:14-23)!

Being able to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE "THE POWER OF DARKNESS" when we see it makes living in "this world" so much less stressful.  Knowing that GOD is continually working to draw me closer to HIM, it amazes me that HE uses people who refuse to believe in HIM to glorify HIMSELF!  Remember in Exodus 14:4 when GOD said to Moses "And I WILL harden Pharaoh's heart, and he WILL pursue them, and THAT I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so".  GOD got Glory from the very ones who previously held HIS children captive.

Just as GOD chooses some of us to be HIS servants, HE allows some to glorify HIM through Red Sea experiences.  Being able to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE the people who are the "POWER OF DARKNESS" is essential to serving HIM.  JESUS said in Matthew 7:15-20 we could RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY them by their fruits!  We are not to judge the "POWER OF DARKNESS", but GOD's Word does judge them, and GOD's Word WILL judge them on that day!  Pharaoh and all his hosts were judged at the Red Sea.   One day JESUS will RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY the "POWER OF DARKNESS" once again, and HE will issue their ultimate judgement!!!